QB 8 Mariota junior Heisman frontrunner, 3,665 yards passing 31 tds, only 4 interceptions, ran for 714 yards and 9 more scores, 7.4 yards a carry. Has worked to improve his footwork and accuracy, looking for an exceptional completion percentage this year. Working on becoming a more assertive and vocal leader. It’s striking that the best player in the game is so determined to improve, something that the analysts overlook in expecting the Ducks to fall back this year. 17 Jeff Lockie redshirt sophomore 6-2, 200. Took snaps in 9 games last season. Firmly in command of the back-up job after the departure of Jake Rodriguez

RB 9 Byron Marshall junior 5-10 205. The leading returning rusher in the conference, 1038 yards, 6.2 yards a carry, 14 tds. Gets overshadowed by flashier backfield mates, but very steady and productive. 24 Tyner sophomore 5-11 215. 711 yards rushing, 9 tds, 6.2 a carry, including a 22-140 performance in the Civil War. Worked hard in spring practice and fall camp, stronger and more sure of himself in the system. 21 Royce Freeman 6-0, 230 freshman 5-star recruit from Imperial High School outside of San Diego set a section record with 7,601 yards and 111 career tds. Powerful and elusive, a tremendous talent who will play immediately.

WR 7 Keanon Lowe Senior 5-9, 186 Also a capable kickoff returner and a devastating outside blocker, Lowe has started 22 games and caught 40 passes in his career, with 6 touchdowns. 1 Chance Allen redshirt sophomore 6-2 200. Smooth athlete from Fort Bend, Texas caught 5 passes for 98 yards as a redshirt freshman, including a 23-yard td against Nicholls and a 37-yard strike against Colorado.

Slot Receiver 13 Devon Allen 6-0 185. Redshirt freshman NCAA and U.S. Champion in the hurdles with a school record 13.16 time in the 110-meter hurdles. Caught two tds in the spring game, for 49 and 45 yards. Potentially Oregon’s best true deep threat since Samie Parker. 82 Zac Shuller 5-10 180, 6 Charles Nelson 5-9 170. Nelson is a 10.5 sprinter from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. All-State receiver in high school with 37 catches for 7 tds, also returned 3 kickoffs for touchdowns. Schuller was a late edition, a jc transfer from City College of San Francisco, impressed in camp with a great work ethic. He’s run a 10.56 100 and whispers are he’s a diamond in the rough.

WR 88 Dwayne Stanford sophomore 6-5, 201. 35-inch vertical leap, a state champion in basketball at Taft High in Cincinnati, Ohio. Caught 11 passes for 106 yards as a true freshman before sitting out last year with a knee injury. Gives Mariota a tall target for fade and possession routes, a tough matchup in the red zone. Darron Carrington redshirt freshman 6-2, 191. Father is a former NFL defensive back. Twisting, diving 20-yard touchdown catch in the spring game. A dynamic talent with a bright future.

LT 75 Jake Fisher 6-6 300 senior Moves over from the right side after Tyler Johnstone’s second ACL injury. 3-year letterman with 23 career starts. Nimble and mobile, played tight end in high school. 73 Tyrell Crosby freshman 6-5 310. Green Valley High School, Henderson, Nevada. 4-star recruit who showed impressive progress in fall camp, holding his own against veteran defensive linemen like Armstead and Buckner. A mobile, athletic lineman who competed in basketball and track as a prep. Once had 18 pancake blocks in a single game.

LG 54 Hamani Stevens senior 6-3 307. Started all 13 games as a junior. The strongest of Oregon’s linemen, can bench over 400 pounds. Returned to the Ducks after serving a religious mission to the Philippines in 2009 and 2010, a 4-star recruit out of high school. 77 Haneteli Lousi jc transfer–junior. 6-5 308. Lousi enrolled in time for spring game and has picked up the system quickly. He’s agile, a good run blocker on the pull, a top-20 jc prospect who’ll play immediately and provide depth, vital for the Ducks after the loss of Johnstone.

C Hroniss Grasu senior 6-3, 297. One of the Ducks captains, a 3-year starter who passed up NFL millions to return with his buddy Mariota for another year. 40 career starts, two-time all-conference center. Brother Nico was a standout field goal kicker at Washington State. Doug Brenner redshirt freshman 6-2, 305. Sister Liz was a star in three sports at Oregon, an All-American volleyball player. 4-star, all-state lineman from Jesuit High, and heir to the center position at Oregon, capably handled by Grasu, Jordan Holmes and Max Unger before him.

RG 78 Cameron Hunt sophomore 6-4 290. Hunt started the final 7 games as a true freshman. He should be more solid this season, stronger and more experienced. 76 Jake Pisarcik redshirt freshman 6-2 295. Pisarcik made a strong bid to start with a great fall camp. Father is a former NFL quarterback. A late bloomer who grew dramatically in his last couple years of high school. Praised by coaches for his work ethic and desire to learn.

72 RT Andre Yruretagoyena junior 6-5 290. Played in 11 games since redshirting in 2011. Popular and funny, Andre Y steps into the starting line up after the injury to his roommate Johnstone. Has a powerful first strike. Needs to develop confidence. 79 Evan Voeller 6-5 295 redshirt freshman, 4-star prospect and UnderArmour All-American, a former West Linn Lion.

OLB 91 Tony Washington senior team leader in sacks (7.5) and tfls (12). Started all 13 games replacing Dion Jordan. 96 Christian French junior 6-5, 245, a freakish athlete who was clocked in 4.5 in the 40 out of high school, an all-league basketball player from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.